Passengers at Heathrow Airport are under the radar, with a new survey revealing the London transport terminal comes top for this one thing. New data has come to light which places the UK’ busiest and largest airport at the top spot. It means passengers set to board planes, or disembark the vehicle after a flight, are more likely to be subject to this than most. Yet what is it – and why is Heathrow Airport in pole position?
The findings aren’t particularly positive though, so it is a title LHR might well want to avoid.
Police have released data on the amount of arrests at each UK airport between April 1 2017 and 31 March 2019.
Heathrow tops the list – the only UK airport to reach three figures – at 103.
Gatwick Airport, also near London, is a close second with 81 arrests.
In total, nearly 450 airline passengers have been arrested on suspicion of being drunk, during the two years.
Sky News reported figures from FOI requests showed 45 people were arrested on suspicion of being drunk at a UK airport between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2019.
A further 204 arrests were made relating to supposed drunkenness on planes.
Express.co.uk has previously reported on calls by airlines, including Ryanair, to ban drinking on flights.
Meanwhile, a group has been formed to attempt to stop excessive drinking in airports and instil bans for those who do so.
Speaking on the findings, Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: “There is no credible reason we’ve heard – other than commercial gain – why airport bars and duty free are not licensed in the same way as any pub or restaurant on the high street.
“Likewise, why are duty free shops still able to sell miniature bottles of alcohol, including at the airport gate? We know miniatures are sold for one reason only – to encourage immediate consumption, including on the plane.”
Police data on the amount of arrests at each UK airport between April 1 2017 and 31 March 2019:
Heathrow: 103
Gatwick: 81
Glasgow: 47
Liverpool: 40
Birmingham: 39
Stansted: 37
Luton: 26
Edinburgh: 22
Bristol: 19
Newcastle: 12
Leeds Bradford: 12
Southampton: 3
Aberdeen: 3
Cardiff: 2
London City: 2
Exeter: 1
